Manchester City snatch advantage over Bristol City with late winner

Sergio Aguero scored a late winner as Premier League leaders Manchester City defeated Championship side Bristol City 2-1 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

The Argentinian headed home the winner in injury time at Etihad Stadium after Bristol City had threatened to cause another upset in the competition.

The Championship club, who stunned Manchester United in the previous round, took the lead just before half-time through a penalty from Bobby Reid after he had been fouled by John Stones.

But Kevin De Bruyne equalized 10 minutes into the second half, playing a one-two with Raheem Sterling before finding the net.

Bristol City looked as if they would hold on for a deserved draw but Aguero, who came on with 20 minutes to go, dashed their hopes with the winner two minutes into injury time, getting his head to Leroy Sane’s cross before the covering defender.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who made a number of changes to his starting line-up, said he was pleased with his team’s performance against an impressive showing from Bristol City.

“It’s a semi-final, I don’t care what the competition is, it’s a semi-final so it’s not easy to reach and we knew they would be difficult opponents,” he said.

“We created a lot of chances and that’s why we won in the end, but today we knew we are not going to finish our job – that will have to happen away in Bristol when we travel there.

“They were really good, so we tried so hard, all the players tried and we’re really happy.”

Reid said Bristol City still had plenty to play for in the second leg.

“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “We are still in the game and our fans will be right behind us at Ashton Gate. We gave it our all and just came up short.

“We beat Manchester United and we have a chance. We have to take it to them. It gives us great confidence going a goal ahead and holding on for so long.”